If you simply want to relax, hit a few balls and not pay the earth for the pleasure then some of Christchurch and Canterbury’s club fields may be for you. With over 40 courses, the hardest decision is often deciding where to play. There are many courses where the green fees start from as little as $20, with some even offering ‘honesty boxes’ for payment.

Below are a handful of courses that we’ve tried recently that are somewhat off the beaten track and charge reasonable green fees.

Everglades Golf Course despite being located within a 20 minute drive from central Christchurch it still maintains a real country feel. A tidy course with tight fairways makes a round an enjoyable challenge.

Tai Tapu Golf Club is the perfect place to stop en route to Akaroa or Banks Peninsula. A nice sheltered tree-lined course offering nine holes of golfing happiness. The locals also think it has a pretty good clubhouse bar!

Akaroa Golf Club is a charming 18-hole course complete with picturesque harbour views and reasonable green fees. Located within a 90 minute drive from Christchurch, we recommend also staying the night in the French inspired village of Akaroa.

The Methven Golf Club offers an immaculately maintained country course designed to make the most of the distinct four seasons of the district. Located within an hour’s drive of Christchurch International Airport, it’s a great course to stretch the legs if you’re staying in mid-Canterbury or passing through.

The Cairns Golf Course in the heart of the Mackenzie Country with stunning views of Lake Tekapo. A three-hour drive from Christchurch, the course celebrates golf in its purest form with the fairway design taking advantage of the natural contours and geological features of the land.

This is only a small sample of the golfing experiences on offer in the Christchurch and Canterbury region. For more information on golf in Christchurch and Canterbury please refer to www.christchurchnz.com